- #71
DrStupid
- 2,167
- 502
PeterDonis said:Almost? Or exactly?
In the tube? Of course.
In the atmosphere? Of course not.
What's your point?
PeterDonis said:Almost? Or exactly?
Khashishi said:The OP is thinking that gravity is accelerating particles downward so the kinetic energy of particles should be larger at the bottom than the top. This would be true for non-interacting particles, but for a gas with pressure, the pressure gradient is accelerating particles upward exactly canceling the downward acceleration by gravity.
jartsa said:I should change "uniform temperature" to "almost uniform temperature"
DrStupid said:Every observer will see the same temperature in any direction but this temperature is not identical for observers at different height.
PeterDonis said:Are you referring to the effect of gravitational time dilation?
That has already been mentioned.PeterDonis said:But this effect is extremely small for, say, the field of the Earth
DrStupid said:Better change it in "uniform as seen from a certain position". Every observer will see the same temperature in any direction but this temperature is not identical for observers at different height.
Wouldn't the molecules moving up be converting Kinetic energy to potential energy as they slow?PaperProphet said:I was actually hoping Bystander could expand upon his own suggestion.
I have a good physics background but I'll admit I don't have the answer to my question. I'm hoping someone can provide a cogent, clear, understandable explanation that even someone as dumb as myself can understand. Logically the molecules can't create a difference in temperature otherwise that would violate the laws of thermodynamics...but I don't know why they don't.